Don't fight in public, Congress tells Kerala leaders

Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 29 (IANS) With a free-for-all breaking out in the Congress party in Kerala following a revamp of the state unit, the new committee declared Saturday that there its leaders should not wash their dirty line in public.

State Congress chief Ramesh Chennithala told reporters here after the meeting that from now on party leaders would not speak in public against each other.

"Strong action would be taken against those who speak out in public and this is binding on all party members," said Chennithala.

The revamp that took place 15 months after debates and discussions saw the Congress releasing a list of a record four vice presidents, 21 general secretaries and 42 joint secretaries.

The revamp also saw new district party chiefs being announced.

"The revamp has taken place after a long time and hence it's quite natural that some issues surface. Before Jan 3, all the district chief's (14) of the party would assume office and by then, whatever issues are left will subside also," said Chennithala.

Before and after the revamp, it was a free-for-all with several leaders venting their anger.

Thrissur, the home turf of K. Karunakaran, witnessed the worst and even saw a parallel district committee being announced by those close to the late leader.

What surprised many was that the Syrian Orthodox Church -- to which Chief Minister Oommen Chandy -- belongs slammed Chandy saying they got a "raw deal" in the revamp.

"Chandy thinks that since he comes from the Orthodox Church, there is no need for anyone else to represent us. We are not going to sit idle," an Orthodox Church priest said here.